Ras Tanura

Water density

1032.

Tides

The datum used by Saudi Aramco is based on lowest astronomical tide (LAT) and all depths are quoted in metres. Locally the diurnal tide rise is approx 2.4m at Springs and 1.5m at Neaps. Due to the configuration of the coastline, a system of tidal currents prevail with flood tide setting S or SSE and the ebb setting N or NNW.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Vessels arriving should make for a position approx 2nm N of the Ras Tanura Lightbuoy (27°05.6'N 050°57.5'E). From there they should proceed to enter the inward channel of the separation scheme passing N of the Approach and Entry Buoys. Vessels shall then proceed as instructed.

A vessel with no special instructions or with instructions to proceed to the Northern Holding Anchorage shall, after passing the Entry Buoy, go to the Northern Holding Anchorage and anchor.

A vessel with instructions to proceed directly to Ras Tanura Terminal, Juaymah Crude Terminal or Juaymah LPG Terminal shall, after passing the Entry Buoy, proceed as instructed by the Ras Tanura Port Control.

Ras Tanura: proceeding from sea: Follow the channel separation scheme to buoy "H". Proceeding via E Channel: Follow the buoyed route to Buoys RTE 7 and RTE 8. Then proceed to Tanker Anchorage or pilot boarding position as directed.

Juaymah Crude Terminal: Vessels arriving from sea: Proceed from the Entry Buoy to a position 2nm NE of Buoy "A". In accordance with advice from Ras Tanura Port Control, the vessel should then turn into the Juaymah Pilot Boarding Area to anchor or be berthed on arrival.

Vessels arriving from the Ras Tanura Terminal: follow the Departure Channel towards the mid channel marker Buoy "A" Caution Area and with advice from Ras Tanura Port Control turn into the Juaymah Pilot Boarding Area either to anchor or to be berthed on arrival.

Departure: A separate departure channel has been provided for all vessels using the Juaymah facilities. The vessel will proceed via the departure channel between Beacon J1 and Buoy ''J2'' and then towards the Exit Buoy JE. The vessel should then set an E'ly course N of Buoy ''JD'' to the Juaymah Light Float.

Juaymah LPG Terminal: When arriving from sea: After passing the Entry Buoy make for a position approx 2nm NE of Buoy "A". On instruction turn in towards the pilot boarding area and follow Normal Routing below. When arriving from Ras Tanura: Follow the Departure Channel towards the mid channel marker Buoy "A". Proceed into the caution area then follow Normal Routing Below.

Normal Routing: During normal conditions of weather and traffic, an arriving vessel will be advised to proceed to a position at the entrance of Juaymah Pilot Boarding Area by a route passing S of "J4" Buoy to a position 1.5nm SE of SPM 36.

The deep water departure channel has a clear swept depth of 21.0m (LAT). A min 1.5m UKC is required for all vessels transiting this channel during departure.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Radar surveillance advisory system: The system is available to provide information and to continuously monitor the movement of all vessels in the port of Ras Tanura. In addition to identifying, tracking and monitoring vessel movements to and from the terminal areas, the following services may be provided to vessel's master's.

Traffic rules:

The following rules apply to all vessels entering or leaving the ports of Ras Tanura or Dammam by way of the Ras Tanura Channel. The separation zones and routes (shown on the charts of the Ras Tanura Channel) are approved by the IMO. Violators of the routing recommendations will be reported to their owners/operators/agents/charterers.

Departure: Upon completion of loading, cargo calculation and disconnecting cargo arms, the vessel will be unmoored and when the vessel is clear harbour pilot will disembark. The vessel will then be free to leave port via the Ju'aymah Departure Channel if Early Departure Procedure (EDP) is used and all relevant documentation is onboard. Otherwise, the vessel will proceed to the Ju'aymah Pilot Boarding Area to await document delivery by the agent.

Contact with Ras Tanura Radar must be maintained on VHF Ch 10 when in the Ju'aymah Crude Terminal approach area.

Restrictions

For vessels proceeding to the Ras Tanura Terminal, the max permitted arrival draught is 16.4m, plus the rise in height of tide above LAT at the time of transit, up to a maximum of 17.9m.

The maximum arrival draught for Juaymah Crude Terminal is 21.3m.

A minimum UKC of 1.5m is required for all vessels transiting the arrival and deep water departure channels.

A minimum UKC of 2.0m is required for tankers proceeding to the Juaymah Crude Terminal.

Tugs

Tugs are compulsory for all vessel manoeuvres in the port except when shifting along the quay or berth. Port control must be informed before initiating the latter move to ensure that safety will not be compromised. The number of tugs used in berthing and unberthing operations is decided by the pilot and is based on general usage.

Saudi Aramco operates harbour tugs of various types with 4,000hp to 6,000hp and bollard pull of 30t to 70t, some have fire fighting and oil pollution combating capability.

Mooring

Coastal tankers of 5,000DWT or less, shall be moored at the pilot and master's discretion.

Ras Tanura Terminal: Mooring boats are not used at Ras Tanura Terminal. Vessels should have heaving lines ready to take the shore messenger after landing alongside. The messenger is then made fast to the vessel's mooring line which is hove ashore by means of a capstan. Heavy wires should be sent one by one and ropes 2 at a time. Jetty crews are on duty continuously to handle mooring lines. Mooring lines onboard vessels will not be handled by Saudi Aramco personnel.

Ju'aymah LPG Terminal: Mooring boats are not used at Ju'aymah LPG Terminal. Vessels should have heaving lines ready to take the shore messenger after landing alongside.

The messenger is then made fast to the vessel's mooring line, which is then hove ashore by capstan. Heavy wires should be sent one by one and ropes two at a time. Jetty crews are continuously on duty to handle mooring lines but will not handle mooring lines aboard vessels.

Berthing policy: Vessels calling at the port of Ras Tanura are assigned berths based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the following: Nomination date, time of arrival, product to be loaded, vessel size, available berths and sailing draught. If there are no immediate berthing prospects, vessels will be directed to anchor in the Northern Holding Anchorage.

Loading: Saudi Aramco reserves the right to advise vessels at which berth or berths and/or terminals the loading will start and finish.

Mooring boats are not used at Ras Tanura Terminal.

Sea Island Submerged Pipelines: All traffic must pass east of the Sea Islands due to the existence of numerous submerged oil pipelines between the Sea Islands and the Shore.

Vessel should have heaving lines ready to take the shore messenger after landing alongside. The messenger is then made fast to the ship's mooring line, which is hove ashore by means of a capstan. Heavy wires should be sent ashore one at a time. Ropes may be sent ashore two at a time. Jetty crews are on duty continuously to handle mooring lines. Saudi Aramco personnel will not handle mooring lines on board vessels.

Charts and publications

US 62414, 62415, 62416. BA 2847, 2858, 2882, 2883, 2886, 3719, 3776, 3777, 3788, 3790, 3812. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior / Coast Guard.

Position: Head of Port Security Department.

Address: Coast Guard HQ, Riyadh, 11135, Saudi Arabia.

Tel: +966 4020 222

Fax: +966 1 402 0274

Mob: +966 0505 910400

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Repair services are available from local business concerns. Saudi Aramco will not assist in making emergency repairs on vessels. It is suggested that masters discuss repair charges with the vessel's agent prior to requesting or authorising repair work.

Divers: Deep sea divers, operating from modern and well equipped boats are available. Saudi Aramco must be contacted for this service.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Saudi Aramco fuel oil bunkers are available at all berths. Vessels taking only bunkers are urged to call at Ras Tanura prior to loading elsewhere to avoid delays caused by draught and berthing assignment problems.

Non Aramco bunkering services are available. Vessels employing these services are not permitted to bunker within the operating area of the port of Ras Tanura.

Fresh water: Drinking and boiler water are not available in the port of Ras Tanura. In cases of emergency, vessel's agents may be able to arrange delivery by barge of small quantities.

Lubricating oils: Lubricating oils are available in limited quantities of drums if ordered through vessels' agents well in advance.

Stores: Ships chandlers are available for supply of limited quantities of provisions and may be contacted through the vessel's agent.

Medical

Requirements for medical assistance or hospital services must be made through the vessel's agent, who can arrange treatment at one of the government or private clinics or hospitals. Treatment of minor injuries may be undertaken onboard by the port doctor if arrangements are made through the vessel's agent.

Saudi Aramco medical facilities are made available in emergencies only when other facilities are not immediately available. A charge will be made for any such service furnished by Saudi Aramco. The Saudi Aramco radio station HZY may be used at any time without charge by vessels at sea to obtain medical aid.

Crew change

All matters relating to crew changes, repatriation, or shore leave are to be arranged through the vessel's agent.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ras Tanura?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels calling at any of the terminals.

What time zone is Ras Tanura in?

Local time at Ras Tanura is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Ras Tanura?

The deepest berth listed is at Juaymah Crude (SPM) Terminal: 26.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ras Tanura?

1032.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ras Tanura?

The UN/LOCODE of Ras Tanura is SARTA.

What crews who called at Ras Tanura say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Ras Tanura →